Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

Investigating Psychological-Marital Problems of Women who Filed for a Divorce and Examining the Effectiveness of Affective-Reconstructive Therapy on It

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyed Javad Seifi Ghozlu 1
Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi 2
Ali Rezaei Sharif 2
Ali Sheykholeslami 2
1 Ph.D. Student in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabili, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabili, Iran.
10.48308/apsy.2022.226999.1310
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the psychological-marital problems of women who filed for divorce and examine the effectiveness of affective-reconstructive therapy on these issues.
 
Methods: The research design employed a mixed-method approach. In the qualitative stage, 15 women who filed for divorce were purposefully selected and interviewed. The statistical population included all women who filed for divorce with a history of early marriage in 1399 in Ardabil. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, leading to the identification of 7 themes (anxiety, depression, nostalgia and loss, confusion, insecurity and pessimism, lack of mutual understanding, and marital conflict) in the psychological-marital dimensions. Based on these themes, a Psychological-Marital Problem Questionnaire (PMPQ) was designed, and after confirming its psychometric properties, it was used to determine the effectiveness of affective-reconstructive therapy.
 
Results: The qualitative findings revealed that women who filed for divorce with a history of early marriage experience problems in the psychological-marital dimension. The PMPQ demonstrated good validity and reliability. Affective-reconstructive therapy was effective in reducing problems across all dimensions of psychological-marital issues.
 
Conclusion: Therapists and researchers can utilize the PMPQ and affective-reconstructive therapy to assess and address the psychological-marital problems of women who file for divorce, especially those with a history of early marriage.
Keywords
Early Marriage
Mixed-Method
Women
Divorce
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